GOOG-411
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2008) |
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Type of site | search |
|---|---|
| Owner | |
| Created by | |
| URL | google.com/goog411 |
| Registration | no |
GOOG-411 (or Google Voice Local Search) is a telephone service by Google that provides a speech recognition-based business directory search and places a call to the resulting number in the United States or Canada.[1] The service is accessible via a toll-free telephone number. It was launched by Google Labs in September 2007.
Operations
Users who call the toll-free telephone numbers 1-800-466-4411 or 1-877-466-4411 (1-800-GOOG-411 and 1-877-GOOG-411) or the local number 1-425-296-4774[2] are asked for the city and state of the sought business. Users may search for by business name or category, which generates a list of up to eight search results. Search can also be invoked by using the key pad if the user prefers. This works in a similar manner to predictive text input on a cellular phone. Users may select the destination by speaking or pressing the number that corresponds to the desired result. Once the destination is selected, the service places a call to the business or returns a text message with the phone number. Alternatively, users can listen to the address and phone number by saying "details". U.S. users may narrow search results by zip code or street intersection.
Although Google’s FAQ states that users may prevent their phone number from being saved by blocking their caller-ID, this is ineffective when calling the 800 number and only works when calling the other two.[3] The service announces that the call may be recorded for the purpose of service improvements.
Business model
Google has stated that the company originally implemented GOOG-411 to build a large phoneme database from users' voice queries. This phoneme database, in turn, will allow Google engineers to refine and improve the speech recognition engine that Google uses to index audio content for searching.[4]
Disclaimers
Google advises users not to use the service for emergency calls, recommending that they call 9-1-1.[5]
VOIP access
Skype, Yahoo! Voice, and a number of open SIP VoIP services allow to call toll-free U.S. phone numbers for free over the internet.[6] Combining this with GOOG-411 allows free calls to all U.S. and Canadian businesses from anywhere in the world.
See also
References
- ^ "1-800-GOOG-411: Find and connect with local businesses for free from your phone". Google. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Using : Corporate or commercial users - Mobile Help". Google. Retrieved November 5, 2009.
- ^ this can be verified by pressing
*at the opening message - ^ Google wants your phonemes | IDGNS | News | October 23, 2007 | By Juan Carlos Perez, IDG News Service
- ^ "Overview: Emergency Calls". Google Inc. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ See e.g. Fun Numbers from Ekiga
External links
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